Blushes, bronzers & highlighters – INCI analysis

These products add colour or light to selected areas of the face. Blush is usually placed on the cheeks, bronzer on the outer contours or wherever the sun would naturally reach, and highlighter on the high points of the face. They come as pressed powders, baked powders, creams in pots or sticks, and liquid drops that can be blended into foundation.

Powder formats share the structure of eyeshadows: fillers such as MICA, TALC or SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE, binders like DIMETHICONE or CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, and preservatives. Highlighters are largely pearlescent pigments, typically MICA coated with CI 77891 and sometimes TIN OXIDE, or CALCIUM ALUMINUM BOROSILICATE for a stronger glow. Creams and sticks use oils and waxes instead of fillers.

Pinks and reds frequently involve CI 15850 or CI 45410, browns come from iron oxides, and pearls from CI 77891 on mica. Each of these must be an Annex IV colourant. In multi-shade palettes, check whether the label gives a separate list per pan or a combined one, as a combined list cannot tell you which shade contains which pigment.